The group split up after leaving the cafeteria.
Zhao Mu, Lu Yan, and Zhuo Yun headed straight for the Advanced Training Hall.
Under normal circumstances, Zhuo Yun would not have been allowed to enter.
However, Zhao Mu had recently built a good relationship with Jiang Jiu. With a simple greeting and a few words exchanged, Jiang Jiu quietly opened the back door and allowed Zhuo Yun to accompany them.
In truth, Jiang Jiu had already witnessed Zhuo Yun's talent firsthand.
His Intermediate Battle Technique, Six Harmonies Destruction Spear, had already surpassed fifty points of proficiency. In terms of pure combat ability, he could even compete with experts like Wang Jiaojiao and Zhu Meng.
Just like Zhao Mu in the past, the only thing holding him back was his Combat Level.
The three entered one of the larger training rooms and selected their respective Combat Technique Puppets.
Zhao Mu immediately chose Intermediate Difficulty.
Lu Yan and Zhuo Yun, meanwhile, selected Elementary Difficulty opponents.
As soon as the combat puppets activated, the atmosphere inside the training hall changed.
Mechanical joints clicked.
Red lights illuminated within the puppets' eyes.
Then, without hesitation, Zhao Mu grabbed his training halberd and charged forward.
---
The Intermediate Difficulty Combat Technique Puppet was vastly different from its Elementary counterpart.
Its attacks were no longer rigid or predictable.
Instead, it fought like a seasoned cultivator, constantly adapting to changes in battle. Every strike came from an unexpected angle, making it difficult to defend against.
Ordinary trainees would struggle to survive even a few exchanges.
But Zhao Mu had already fought one before.
He understood its strengths and weaknesses.
Because of that, he felt no pressure whatsoever.
Hegemon's Formation-Breaking Halberd: Proficiency 215
The massive halberd swept through the air.
Each swing generated explosive gusts of wind accompanied by thunderous sounds.
As spiritual power surged into the weapon, a dark crimson glow spread across its blade.
The moment Zhao Mu attacked, blood-red shadows erupted around him.
Every strike carried immense pressure capable of crushing an opponent's will.
Even though Lu Yan and Zhuo Yun stood more than ten meters away, they could still feel their hearts tremble.
The overwhelming aura radiating from Zhao Mu's attacks was simply terrifying.
For a moment, the two exchanged glances.
Instead of discouraging them, Zhao Mu's strength ignited their fighting spirit.
"So this is why Zhao Mu is so strong," Lu Yan muttered.
"He works harder than anyone else."
Zhuo Yun nodded.
"If he's still pushing himself this much, we have no excuse to slack off."
Without another word, both entered combat.
---
Zhuo Yun held his spear firmly.
His expression was calm and focused.
The next moment, he thrust forward.
Fast.
Precise.
Merciless.
The spear shot out like a dragon leaving its cave.
Every movement flowed smoothly into the next.
Although his Six Harmonies Destruction Spear had not reached Zhao Mu's level, it was still a highly refined technique.
The Elementary Difficulty Puppet immediately retaliated.
Spear and steel collided repeatedly.
Sharp sparks exploded across the training hall.
---
On the other side, Lu Yan unsheathed his saber.
Dark flames instantly emerged from the blade.
His A-Rank ability—Dark Killing Blazing Flames—activated.
Black fire wrapped around the saber like a living creature.
This ability possessed an extremely dangerous characteristic.
It could devour spiritual energy.
If developed to a sufficiently high level, it could even allow him to defeat opponents with superior Combat Levels.
The puppet rushed toward him.
Lu Yan responded with a powerful slash.
Boom!
Dark flames burst forth.
The black fire wrapped around the puppet's body like a serpent.
Within seconds, nearly half of the puppet's spiritual energy was consumed.
The red lights in the puppet's eyes flashed.
Immediately afterward, an even more powerful aura erupted from its body.
The Combat Technique Puppet possessed a sophisticated adaptive system.
It continuously adjusted its output according to the strength of its opponent.
If the challenger grew stronger, the puppet would respond with greater force.
Therefore, after analyzing Lu Yan's ability, the puppet immediately raised its combat parameters.
The battle intensified.
---
For the next hour, the training hall echoed with the sounds of combat.
Metal clashed against metal.
Spiritual energy exploded continuously.
The three fought without pause.
Gradually, Lu Yan and Zhuo Yun began reaching their limits.
Sweat drenched their clothes.
Their breathing became ragged.
Unlike Zhao Mu, neither possessed an absurdly powerful physique.
Their spiritual energy reserves were also far smaller.
Eventually, they stepped off the arena to recover.
Both sat against the wall, drinking water while observing Zhao Mu's battle.
Opportunities like this were rare.
Normally, Zhao Mu ended his battles too quickly.
Even during today's fight against Li Hanshan and Tang Ziyi, everything had concluded before anyone could properly study his techniques.
Now, however, they had the perfect chance to observe.
And the longer they watched, the more shocked they became.
Soon, shock transformed into disbelief.
Then disbelief became fear.
---
They were struggling against Elementary Difficulty puppets.
Yet Zhao Mu was completely suppressing an Intermediate Difficulty opponent.
Not merely holding his ground.
Not barely winning.
Suppressing it.
Every movement appeared effortless.
Every attack flowed naturally into the next.
Even his defensive actions were flawless.
Whenever the puppet launched an attack, Zhao Mu would often move only a shoulder or slightly shift his stance.
Yet somehow, his defense was already in place before the attack even arrived.
It was almost as if he could predict the future.
"Heavens..."
Zhuo Yun swallowed.
"His Halberd Technique has reached perfection."
As a spear user himself, he understood exactly how terrifying Zhao Mu's mastery was.
Spear techniques and halberd techniques shared many similarities.
That was why he could appreciate Zhao Mu's level better than most.
Lu Yan suddenly pointed downward.
"Look at his feet."
Zhuo Yun followed his gaze.
Then his eyes widened.
Zhao Mu's footwork was astonishing.
His legs moved so quickly that they occasionally blurred from sight.
Yet every step served a purpose.
Every movement placed him in the safest possible position.
He could evade attacks while simultaneously creating the best angle for counterattacks.
There wasn't a single wasted motion.
Lu Yan spoke quietly.
"Most Spirit Power Users focus only on increasing their Combat Level."
"They believe overwhelming spiritual power can solve everything."
"So they ignore their foundations."
"They neglect physical conditioning."
"They neglect footwork."
"They neglect movement."
"But without a stable foundation, all the power in the world is meaningless."
Zhuo Yun nodded heavily.
Looking at Zhao Mu's performance, he finally understood what true fundamentals looked like.
---
Meanwhile, Zhao Mu remained fully focused on battle.
The puppet attacked relentlessly.
Its strikes became increasingly dangerous.
Yet Zhao Mu only grew more excited.
Each clash improved his understanding.
Each exchange sharpened his instincts.
Soon, another notification appeared before him.
Hegemon's Formation-Breaking Halberd: Proficiency 220
The improvement made him smile.
But only briefly.
Then he frowned.
"The growth rate is slowing down."
Intermediate Difficulty was no longer pushing him enough.
His mastery had reached a bottleneck.
A stronger opponent was necessary.
A dangerous thought appeared in his mind.
"Should I try Advanced Difficulty?"
The idea surfaced.
And immediately, he made his decision.
If there was a challenge ahead, he would face it.
That was simply who he was.
Zhao Mu lowered his halberd and walked toward the control console.
Without hesitation, he selected the option marked:
ADVANCED DIFFICULTY
The screen instantly flashed red.
A warning window appeared.
Warning!
Advanced Difficulty Challenges are extremely dangerous. Serious injury or permanent disability may occur.
Advanced Difficulty Combat Technique Puppets possess a Combat Level higher than the challenger.
Do you wish to continue?
A dangerous smile appeared on Zhao Mu's face.
Challenge?
That was exactly what he wanted.
Without hesitation, he pressed:
CONFIRM.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)